What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social anxiety disorder is a severe anxiety disorders list disorder that can cause problems with daily life. While most people feel uncomfortable or anxious when in social situations, those with social anxiety disorder experience intense anxiety and fear. It can affect their relationships and their careers. It can also lead to depression and addiction to drugs.

Treatment may include cognitive behavioral therapy including medication, role-playing, medication and social skills training. The medications can include antidepressants like selective serotoninin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and beta blockers.

Symptoms

Social anxiety disorder makes people be in a state of extreme fear or anxiety in situations where they believe that others will notice their behavior and judge their behavior negatively. This can include meeting people who are not familiar with them, eating or drinking in public, or giving a speeches or performing. The person can either avoid the feared occasion or suffer immense anxiety and distress. These emotions are out of proportion to the actual risk or embarrassment involved. They also cause significant disruptions in daily life and interfere with relationships. People with this condition are less likely of having close relationships with friends, finding a job, or maintaining relationships. They are also more vulnerable to depression and substance abuse.

The condition can cause sweating, blushing, or shaking. The patient may be unable to make eye contact or speak clearly. They may be frightened when speaking on the phone or writing, and struggle to maintain an employment position due to poor performance in meetings or in interviews.

In severe instances, this disorder could cause other anxiety disorders, major depression disorder and suicidal ideation. In these instances the treatment is typically more intense and should be guided by an expert in mental health who has experience in managing these disorders.

Certain types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can help combat social anxiety. CBT aims at changing negative thoughts or beliefs which contribute to the disorder. It also teaches the person to face the situations that trigger anxiety slowly, with the assistance of a therapist, and in a safe environment. A form of psychotherapy known as exposure and response or cognitive delivered exposure may be used to treat people who have extreme social anxiety.

Psychological treatments are often paired with medications to treat the symptoms of this disorder. These medications can alleviate the uncomfortable and embarrassing symptoms of this disorder. The treatment for this disorder is typically with selective serotonin receptor inhibits like sertraline, paroxetine or Venlafaxine. Other antidepressants and beta blockers may also be beneficial.

Diagnosis

Most people experience some degree of anxiety in certain social situations. For instance, when making new acquaintances or going out for dates, or performing. If the fear gets overwhelming and affects your daily routine you might need to be diagnosed with a social anxiety disorder. The condition, also known as social anxiety disorder is not solely based on the personality of the individual or their environment. It is distinct from shyness. It is a long-lasting, real illness that requires treatment.

A health professional typically diagnoses a problem by speaking with the patient and performing an examination. The therapist might then suggest psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy or medication to treat symptoms.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one kind of therapy that can help manage anxiety. This approach helps a person to recognize and alter negative thoughts and beliefs about social situations that cause anxiety. It can teach someone how to handle stressful situations, such as practicing relaxation techniques and calm breathing. It may also include exposure therapy, which involves gradually building up to social situations a person is scared of, with the guidance of a therapist in a safe environment.

Prescription medications such as antidepressants and antianxiety medications can be a relief for sufferers of social anxiety disorder. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline, (Zoloft), have been used to treat social anxiety disorder social disorder. However, other drugs can be equally effective. Sometimes, it takes a few attempts to determine the most appropriate medication for a person.

Research has shown that a combination therapy is most efficient. This can include CBT and exposure therapy, or other kinds of psychological treatment such as interpersonal therapy. It is important that a person receive treatment for anxiety as the condition can cause depression and addictions such as alcohol or drugs. It can also lead to problems at work or school and cause isolation.

Art therapy, for example, can be beneficial to those suffering from social anxiety. This helps people express their feelings through drawing, painting or other creative activities and has been proven to decrease the intensity of anxiety symptoms in certain cases.

Treatment

People are often anxious in certain social situations, like meeting new people or giving a the presentation. If the anxiety and fear persist, it can develop into a mental disorder social Anxiety called social anxiety disorder or phobia. It's more than shyness and requires treatment. Therapy, medication, or both are possible treatment options.

Often, the first step is getting an accurate diagnosis from a health care professional, such as a physician or a counselor. He or she may check to see if there are any physical ailments that are causing the symptoms, and then suggest you see a mental health specialist, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most popular type of psychotherapy used to treat social anxiety disorders. In CBT, a trained counselor or therapist helps you challenge negative thinking patterns and learn better ways to handle stressful situations. You can also learn relaxation techniques and how to face your fears by taking small steps at a time. CBT usually takes place in multiple sessions, and you may be required to complete homework between sessions.

Social anxiety disorder can be treated with antidepressants. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) are often prescribed for this condition, as well as the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor XR). It can take several weeks before you start feeling the effects of these drugs. They can also trigger unwanted side effects like headaches or insomnia.

Beta-blockers can help alleviate physical symptoms of anxiety. These include rapid heart rate as well as high blood pressure sweating, shaking of the voice and limbs. These drugs can be addictive and sedative. Therefore doctors rarely prescribe these medications to treat social anxiety.

Research suggests that children who suffer from social anxiety may outgrow it as they get older however, if the disorder is left untreated, it can cause severe depression and other mental health problems. If your child suffers from severe social anxiety disorder consult your GP about treatments options.

The following is a list with preventions.

It's normal to feel nervous or anxious when you are in a social context like meeting new people or presenting a presentation. However, this anxiety can turn into a disorder if it interferes with your everyday activities and causes you distress. This is more than shyness. It can affect your self-esteem as well as relationships, and even your work or school performance. It is important to seek treatment if you are struggling with this condition. There are a variety of options for assistance including medication, therapy to support groups.

People who suffer from social anxiety typically recognize that their fears are unfounded and exaggerated, but they are unable to overcome these fears. They may avoid social interactions and are unable to access opportunities for education, employment, or friendships, and are more likely to be depressed or substance abuse.

Talk therapy and stress management techniques like breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation are commonly employed to combat social anxiety. A therapist can teach you how to overcome negative, unhelpful thoughts that fuel your social anxiety and replace them with more balanced views. They can also use social skills training, role-playing, and other cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) to help you gradually face the situations that trigger anxiety in a safe environment.

Additionally, medications can be used to alleviate some of the symptoms of social anxiety such as heart palpitations or sweating. Before taking any medication, people who suffer from social anxiety should discuss possible adverse effects with their physician.

Some mental health professionals recommend avoiding substances like caffeine, alcohol or other drugs that could exacerbate your symptoms. They may recommend that you get enough sleep and eat a healthy diet. They might also advise you to try taking a walk in nature, which can have an uplifting effect and help you to focus on the beauty of the world around you.

There are a variety of ways to manage social anxiety. It is crucial to seek treatment promptly, whether seeking treatment or medication. This will stop your symptoms from becoming out of control. If you're in need of help, BetterHelp can match you with a certified, licensed therapist who can help you cope with your feelings and flourish in your daily life.